Our Services
Cracked brickwork is common throughout Melbourne, particularly in older homes constructed on reactive soils or traditional footings. While some cracking may be minor, it can also indicate movement within the building or surrounding structure.
Finer Point Masonry provides professional cracked brickwork repairs throughout Melbourne, including crack stitching with Helifix stainless-steel reinforcement, brick replacement and colour-matched mortar repairs.
Our background in underpinning and structural masonry repair means we understand that a crack is often a symptom of a wider issue—not simply a cosmetic defect to be covered over.
Cracked Brickwork Repairs
Contact Finer Point Masonry to arrange an assessment of cracked brickwork at your Melbourne property.
-
Brickwork can crack for a variety of reasons, including:
Foundation settlement or subsidence
Seasonal ground movement
Inadequate or deteriorated footings
Water or drainage issues
Tree roots and changing soil moisture
Corrosion of embedded steel or lintels
Thermal expansion and contraction
Insufficient movement joints or masonry restraint
Previous alterations or poorly completed repairs
Before recommending a repair, we assess the location, pattern and extent of the cracking, together with the condition of the surrounding brickwork.
Where the cracking appears to be caused by ongoing or significant structural movement, further investigation by a structural engineer or foundation specialist may be required before the masonry is repaired.
-
Where appropriate, cracked brickwork can be repaired using Helifix crack-stitching reinforcement.
Helifix Stitch Ties are stainless-steel helical bars installed horizontally across a crack. Slots are carefully formed within selected mortar joints or brickwork, and the bars are embedded using a high-strength structural grout.
Once installed, the reinforcement helps reconnect the separated masonry, distribute loads across the affected area and reduce the likelihood of the crack reopening.
Crack stitching may be suitable for:
Stepped cracking through brickwork
Cracks above doors and windows
Cracks around building corners
Separation between adjoining masonry sections
Localised movement within walls and parapets
Cracking that has remained stable after the underlying cause was addressed
Helifix reinforcement is not automatically the correct solution for every crack. We consider the condition of the wall and the likely cause of the damage before recommending crack stitching.
-
After the reinforcement has been installed, the repair areas are repointed using a mortar selected to complement the surrounding brickwork.
Where bricks have cracked, spalled or become too damaged to retain, they can be carefully removed and replaced. We aim to match the existing bricks, mortar colour and joint profile as closely as practical so the completed repair blends naturally into the wall.
Our cracked brickwork repair process may include:
Inspecting the cracking and surrounding masonry
Considering the likely cause and whether further investigation is required
Carefully forming slots across the affected area
Installing stainless-steel Helifix reinforcement in structural grout
Replacing severely damaged bricks where required
Repointing the repair areas with a colour-matched mortar
Cleaning the completed brickwork and surrounding work area
-
Simply filling a crack with mortar rarely provides a lasting repair. The cause of the cracking, condition of the masonry and suitability of the proposed reinforcement all need to be properly considered.
Contact Finer Point Masonry to arrange an assessment of cracked brickwork at your Melbourne property.
TESTIMONIALS
Why Our Clients Love Us
There’s no job too big, or too small.
Contact us to learn more about our remedial services and get a free quote today.